SPLENDOURS OF SPAIN

DAY 1 UK - MADRID
Fly from the UK to Madrid today, to transfer to our first hotel. Look forward to meeting your fellow travellers over traditional tapas in a bar tonight. ​

DAY 2 MADRID
Vibrant Madrid is our playground today, with a panoramic tour of the city's iconic attractions on the cards. From elegant shopping boulevards to majestic museums and beguiling plazas filled with restaurants, expect a feast for your senses and a workout for your walking shoes.

​An official guided tour of the Royal Palace offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of Spain's royal family. Discover sumptuous rooms decorated with tapestries, frescoes, lavish furniture and vast works of art. After a delicious lunch, we'll stroll through the historic centre, with the famous Plaza Mayor at its heart. Next, discover artistic wonders at the Prado Museum.

DAY 3 MADRID - AT LEISURE
Yesterday's sample of Madrid will set your feet on fire for further exploration – and you'll have free time to get out and about today. Eat your fill of tapas, fill your suitcase with treasures from shops surrounding Gran Vía, or indulge your love of sports with a visit to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

​Alternatively, why not join us for an optional excursion to El Escorial and Segovia? Learn about the history of the majestic Escorial Palace with an expert Local Guide. After free time for lunch, we'll explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Segovia and its Roman aqueduct, which is estimated to be 2,000 years old.

DAY 4 MADRID - ZARAGOZA
Saying goodbye to Madrid, we'll journey on to our overnight stay in Zaragoza with a special stop on the way. The spectacular Monasterio de Piedra dates from the 13th century, a beautiful example of a one-time Cistercian monastery. These days, it's surrounded by lush parks, waterfalls, caves and a shimmering lake.

​After a tasty lunch here, we'll continue to Zaragoza, a hub of art, culture and cuisine that's far from the regular tourist trail. Admire Renaissance architecture, Moorish palaces and striking cathedrals, before sitting down together tonight for a mouthwatering traditional lamb dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 5 ZARAGOZA - BARCELONA
Our trip to Barcelona today encompasses a visit to Bechite and its haunting remains of the Spanish Civil War bomb sites. Next, get ready to thrill your taste buds at a typical Catalan Masia, where old farmhouse traditions equate to a seriously scrumptious lunch.

​We'll jump back on the road before an afternoon stop at Cava Codorniu, famed for its Catalan Modernist architecture. After we check into our hotel in Barcelona, it's time for dinner together with wine and conversation at a local restaurant. Cheers!

DAY 6 BARCELONA
Our very own Local Guide introduces us to the eclectic world of architect Antoni Gaudí. Explore Sagrada Familia, perhaps the world's most famous unfinished monument. The masterpiece impresses with its exquisite stained-glass windows and astonishing views of the city from its towers.

​Afterwards, we'll soak up the enchanting gardens, mosaic statues and eccentric buildings of Park Güell, highlighting Gaudí's works inspired by nature. A walking tour of Barcelona's atmospheric Gothic Quarter awaits this afternoon, with narrow streets leading to amazing structures, like the Temple of Augustus.

DAY 7 BARCELONA - AT LEISURE
There are so many 'must-sees' in Barcelona and a day of leisure today allows you to pick your favourites. Sample cheeses, charcuterie and seafood at La Boqueria, watch the colourful street performers on Las Ramblas or lounge on the golden sands of La Barceloneta. You can also join us for an optional tour of Montserrat, a Benedictine mountain retreat that's encircled by magnificent views and unique rock formations. We will also visit Monserrat Basilica where you can see the statue of the Black Madonna, the most famous of its kind in the world.​

DAY 8 BARCELONA - SEVILLE
An exciting trip on a high-speed train transports us from Barcelona to romantic Seville today, where we will enjoy a mouthwatering tapas lunch upon arrival. Prepare to fall in love at first sight, as we delve into medieval laneways, majestic palaces and baroque churches on an official guided walking tour. We will also visit the Gothic Cathedral, the world's largest gothic structure and the second largest cathedral in the world.​

DAY 9 SEVILLE - GRANADA
We'll travel from Seville to Granada today, with plenty of time to immerse in the charming city of Córdoba first. It's home to one of the world's most mesmerising mosques, the Mezquita. Though the Islamic marvel is the city's claim to fame, this is a place for slowly strolling cobbled lanes with pretty wrought-iron balconies, colourful potted plants and quaint hidden plazas galore. We'll also visit the Alcázar of Córdoba and its celebrated garden patios, before arriving in Granada ready for dinner. ​

DAY 10 GRANADA
Today we have a tour of Granada to discover the city's lovely centre with a visit to the Royal Chapel. This afternoon, we visit the incredible Alhambra Palace, a Moorish fortress that inspires awe with lavish gardens and astounding architecture throughout the complex.

​Tonight, enjoy free time to sample the excellent culinary scene in Granada. In some bars, you can still expect tapas with every drink you buy. Or, why not join us for an optional Flamenco show and flavourful dinner with fantastic views of the city.

DAY 11 GRANADA - MADRID
On our return to Madrid, we'll stop to discover the magnificent city of Toledo, sitting dramatically on a gorge above the Río Tajo. It was known as the 'city of three cultures' in the Middle Ages, where Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities resided in peace.

​Our walking tour shows you the highlights, including the Gothic cathedral, the Alcázar and panoramic views from Puente de San Martín, a beautiful medieval bridge. This evening we'll enjoy a farewell dinner of local cuisine in Madrid.

DAY 12 MADRID - UK
Today we'll transfer you to the airport for your return flight to the UK.